In downtown Beijing, a new community lab is turning kitchen scraps into fresh greens and bringing the science of farming to city streets. Just days before the Central Urban Work Conference, this project opened its doors to residents eager to learn and grow.
Designed to reflect the conference’s vision of modern, smart, and livable cities, the lab recycles kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost. Local volunteers and families can grow leafy vegetables in compact, high-tech planters, proving that sustainability and innovation can flourish in urban cores.
"We wanted to create more than a garden," says Zhang Xue, one of the initiative’s key initiators. "This lab doubles as a summer camp where children discover how everyday leftovers can nurture plants and contribute to a greener future."
By blending hands-on learning with eco-friendly design, the community lab offers a blueprint for other cities aiming to boost resilience, education, and citizen engagement. As Beijing hosts leaders from across the Chinese mainland and beyond, this urban farm embodies a future where technology and tradition grow side by side.
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Community lab brings science and joy of farming to downtown Beijing
cgtn.com
